I thought this was a Canoe race! Waterside C Pewsey to Newbury

After an early start from Matt and Mel's house we set off along the M4 to the start at Pewsey, the weather was very bright but extremely cold with the temperature display in the car never going above - 4 deg. C.

Upon arrival at the start the thermometer had not risen and looking down at the canal below the car park at the start confirmed that the canal at Pewsey was indeed frozen over. A narrow boat broke the ice as it navigated upstream only for the ice to reform withing minutes after it had passed.

After check-in we moved the boat down to the start line which was clear of ice and moved through the throng to the start and we were off.

After no time at all the snake of canoes ahead were all coming alongside and climbing out as the ice was too thick making navigation (at least in these boats) impossible. We joined the merry line of runners thankful that we had fixed foam pads to the deck to protect our shoulders from the deck as we ran with it upon our shoulders.

We ran and ran and then ran some more........... minutes passed and still no sign of clear water, then after two miles or so boats were getting back in so did we and it was great to be paddling again, our euphoria was short lived as after a few hundred meters paddling we were back out on the tow path running again, we ran almost to the Bruce's Tunnel and slipped back into the water for our first paddle through the tunnel some 500 meters long in the dark.

As soon as we cleared the tunnel we were back out and running AGAIN.......we ran to the Crofton Flight, some seven locks close enough to run together over the next mile, that said we paddled the first pound, just for the fun of being in the water. Along this section we saw Paul Toomey from Reading Canoe Club, he was as ever full of helpful advice and jogged beside us. At the put in we saw the welcome sight of Melissa who was doing a fabulous job supporting us solo today, sandwich squares, fruit and new bottles taken on and we were off on clear water.........we think the running period had covered appoximately seven miles!

This was the pattern with Mel supporting us now all the way to Newbury, we had a few hic-cups with the seats working loose and slipping and having to stop to re-tigten them otherwise every few miles we saw the welcome sight of Mel with more food and new water bottles if necessary.

There was lots of support on the bank with many spectators and all were cheering us on as we passed there were even cow bells being rung! no doubt just back from the winter olympics in Vancouver.

After an involuntary slip into the canal on the put in near Kintbury, Matt hauled himself back out of the canal and we were on the home straight.

At West Mills swingbridge a fast crew from Richmond were close to us, we pulled off and sprinted diagonally to the last portage, still ahead we put in just before the Kennet entry and finished with this crew beside us with a double blast from the horn at the finish line.

Our time 4:10 and we need to see how useful this is for a DW schedule as we sincerely hope not to be running so many miles with the K2 during the race.

Thanks again to Mel for an amazing job as support for this race, the food really does help to bring the energy levels back up and avoiding the slump.

Eyes down now with some gym work this week and more paddling followed by an assault on the whole length of the canal on Saturday.

That's all folks, thank you for your support the money is still rolling in and the AB Walker Canoe Team are very grateful to you all for your support.